Pubdate: Thu, 29 May 2003
Source: Sudbury Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2003 The Sudbury Star
Contact:  http://www.thesudburystar.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/608
Author: Rob O'Flanagan

POLICE SWEEP SUSPECTED DEALERS FROM DOWNTOWN

Local News - A massive, undercover narcotics operation in downtown Sudbury 
has put 42 suspected drug dealers behind bars. And the crackdown is not 
over yet. Further arrests are expected, police officials said Wednesday.

After a six-month investigation in which undercover officers from three 
Sudbury-area police forces made dozens of drug purchases, a co-ordinated 
series of arrests were carried out Wednesday morning.

The bust filled police holding cells and netted $40,000 in drugs, thousands 
in cash, numerous weapons and drug paraphernalia.

"We put the operation together in response to a significant number of 
complaints from downtown merchants and people who visit the downtown," said 
Greater Sudbury Police Chief Ian Davidson.

Davidson said that open drug dealing and intimidation, particularly in the 
area of the Sudbury Transit Depot, were inhibiting business and social 
activity.

"It was making the area very unpleasant for people who may want to come 
into the downtown core and engage in shopping or social activities," he said.

Suspected dealers aged 15 to 74 were arrested, the majority being men in 
their early twenties, and 140 charges were laid.

"We're not talking about kids in the possession of a few joints," Davidson 
said. "We're talking about young people who are making a living dealing in 
a variety of illegal drugs, some of them carrying illegal weapons."

A display table at the press conference held bags of cash, a shotgun and 
knives, an array of hard drugs, including crack and powdered cocaine, a 
large bag of ecstasy powder and a variety of potent prescription medications.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager